The telenovela continues. The Christmas season of 2011 will be an unforgettable one for former President Gloria Arroyo.
After the Nov.17 airport drama where she and her husband Mike Arroyo were stopped from taking their flight to Singapore, she is now finally a detainee: officially under hospital arrest at the government-run Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC), a far cry from her luxurious St.Luke hospital suite.
However, Mrs. Arroyo might be allowed to spend Christmas day at her home with her family if the courts decide.
The same goes to Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona who will spend the yuletide and New Year facing an impeachment trial by the senate after the House of Representatives voted unanimously and with “undue haste” to recommend his impeachment and trial
scheduled to start January 2012.
It was Corona, long branded as an “Arroyo “ henchman and a “midnight appointee “ to the supreme court who issued the infamous Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) that triggered the airport brouhaha wherein it allowed the former president to travel abroad despite a “watch list order” from the Justice department.
Stung, an arrest order based on charges of election sabotage was
slapped on her by the joint Justice department and the Commission on Election (COMELEC), thereby negating the TRO issued by the high court. The charges stemmed from an alleged conspiracy to rig the 2007 senatorial elections through massive cheating.
Joining Mrs. Arroyo and chief Justice Corona in observing their “Blue Christmas “ will be former election chief (COMELEC)Ben Abalos who was also arrested Dec.13 in Pasay city to face also election-related charges. Abalos served as the Commission on Election chairman during Mrs. Arroyo’s presidency.
Surveys said a vast majority of Filipinos support President Aquino’s fight against the chief Justice whom they believed is
“eroding the integrity of the high court “and the judiciary with his alleged coddling of the former president.
On the other hand, opposition groups and constitutionalists feared
That this Constitutional crisis is bad for the country as it would result in the loss of credibility for the Supreme Court. They also
accused President Aquino of having autocratic tendencies similar to the late dictator Marcos.
How this bitter “duel “between two independent branch of government will turn out is anybody’s guess.
As we say, “Abangan ulit ang susunod na kabanata “.
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CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS: Despite the worldwide economic crisis hitting Europe…Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal and other parts of that continent, Canada remains at least stable and consistent. We should be thankful.
In the Philippines, despite the current political upheavals or crisis, it was reported Foreign exchange Reserves (FOREX) or what is called Gross International Reserves had increased to $76.3 Billion.
Remittances coming from Filipinos abroad notable OFWs were a major contributor to the country’s foreign money reserve.
Another good news is that Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)…
Call centers, was also a big factor. Of the total foreign exchange of the Philippines about $8 billion are in the form of Gold.
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PACQUIAO: NEW MEDIA MOGUL: Manny Pacquiao has added another title to his many hats. Congressman, TV host, singer, actor, Businessman and now publisher.
According to sports columnist and former North Cotabato governor Manny Pinole, Pacquiao had already set up a radio station in General Santos city, the first of the projected 100 radio stations he will put up in many parts of the Philippines. He has already acquired the necessary franchise for this project.
In March, Pacquiao will also launch an international Boxing Magazine named “ The Boxing World Quarterly “along with a multi-million printing press that he had opened in General Santos city. The printing facility is managed by his wife Jinky.
Pinol, on the other hand was asked by Pacquiao to be the editor in chief of the magazine which will have an initial circulation of 30,000 copies. The BWQ, as it is known will be distributed worldwide and will feature internationally famous boxing personalities and sportswriters among them our very own Recah Trinidad,(editor), Al Mendoza, Eddie Alinea, Quinito Henson, Dong Secuya and Ronnie Nathanielz.
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MILESTONES AND TRANSITIONS: Our condolences to the family of Lydia Cusipag Medina,76,who passed away December 10. Lydia was a sister of our publisher Ruben Cusipag.
Congratulations to Inah Patricia Canlapan on her maiden concert Dec.10 at the Polish Center. (see related story). Also to Rodney Ronquillo and Chyrell Samson on their successful Christmas concert last Dec.3.
TO OUR READERS, MAY YOU HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS AND A SAFE HOLIDAYS !